The European Commission proposed on Tuesday that European Union countries, especially those bordering Russia, be allowed to use the money they get from the EU budget to bolster their defence capabilities.

The world’s biggest trade bloc “holds a lot of cards” and has a good plan to retaliate if forced to, said a top official.

The queries came after a complaint from Renew Group Chair Valérie Hayer about the low quality and slow speed of written answers from the European Commission to lawmakers during a recent Conference of Presidents gathering. POLITICO has seen notes from the meeting.

Automakers are set to get three years, rather than one, to comply with the EU's 2025 CO2 emissions targets for cars and vans under a proposal to soften the rules, published by the European Commission on Tuesday.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has warned "all options are on the table" in response to US President Donald Trump's tariffs threats, saying while the EU does not want an economic conflict it has the "power to push back".

Two recent judgements by the Court of Justice of the European Union on internal parliamentary hearings shed light on slapdash processes undermining bullying investigations.

While the proposal has yet to be discussed in the Council or the European Parliament, the Commission is moving forward by requesting the regulatory authority begin the rewrite.

The European Commission is pushing to significantly expand the authority of Europol, transforming it into an operational law enforcement agency with greater powers and resources. A detailed proposal for the pan-European police agency's new mandate is expected next year and will require approval from the European Parliament and the Council of the

Europe has "a strong plan" for striking back at the United States in response to Donald Trump’s tariff hikes "if necessary," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said. "I hear Americans,